Craigslist Room Hunting

[Finger Laker]

Originally Posted by kaminokamen

Yeah, I haven't applied anywhere just yet. I am waiting until I am still doing research on the schools out there for what I am trying to be, which, I haven't really decided on yet. I do not have a car, so I am looking for a place that is transit friendly, it seems Philly has a good transit system out there. Buses, trains, subway. I have a bike that Im going to send, so that will help too.

Right on. The nice thing is you won't be absorbing any car expense and it is pretty easy to get around the neighborhood without much expense. I'd probably try to stay more near center city/university city to keep the variety of public transport options open and if you end up going to school a bit more on the outskirts you would just need to potentially suck up a little more of a commute for a short time and then move closer when you can.

Originally Posted by kaminokamen

What do you mean good block/bad block though??

Just that while an area on a whole can be good, it's best to go out and visit if at all possible and if not then really do as much remote research as you can to see if the actual place you are looking at is still OK.

University City keeps pushing further out and turning more bad blocks into good blocks, but you should still use some caution ...... A had a couple buddies who waited too long to find a place and ended up about a block and a half away from where the students were and into the actual neighborhood .... they did not have great times living there

[scosm]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

Just that while an area on a whole can be good, it's best to go out and visit if at all possible and if not then really do as much remote research as you can to see if the actual place you are looking at is still OK.

University City keeps pushing further out and turning more bad blocks into good blocks, but you should still use some caution ...... A had a couple buddies who waited too long to find a place and ended up about a block and a half away from where the students were and into the actual neighborhood .... they did not have great times living there

To the OP, ask about blocks/specific neighborhoods you are looking at as you get some options and we can give you an idea of what you are getting into. Personally, I live in the "actual neighborhood" of UC and am thankful I am not in a majority student area To each his own of course and as I'm a little older than you I probably have different priorities.

[Finger Laker]

Originally Posted by scosm

To the OP, ask about blocks/specific neighborhoods you are looking at as you get some options and we can give you an idea of what you are getting into. Personally, I live in the "actual neighborhood" of UC and am thankful I am not in a majority student area To each his own of course and as I'm a little older than you I probably have different priorities.

Yep - there is definitely a blend and it's hard to know by just looking at a map or a neighborhood boundary

I'm sure there is an adjacent area as well that you probably wouldn't be as happy in

The whole area is getting a lot better and you can say that about a lot of philadelphia now as the gentrification is just pushing outward more and more .... Plenty of areas that you would live in today that you wouldn't want to even walk through on any frequency a decade ago

Definitely wasn't trying to take a swipe at anything - just using an example that I knew of to kind of illustrate how neighborhoods evolve quickly even within what would look to be from the outside a fairly condensed area

[scosm]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

Yep - there is definitely a blend and it's hard to know by just looking at a map or a neighborhood boundary

I'm sure there is an adjacent area as well that you probably wouldn't be as happy in

The whole area is getting a lot better and you can say that about a lot of philadelphia now as the gentrification is just pushing outward more and more .... Plenty of areas that you would live in today that you wouldn't want to even walk through on any frequency a decade ago

Definitely wasn't trying to take a swipe at anything - just using an example that I knew of to kind of illustrate how neighborhoods evolve quickly even within what would look to be from the outside a fairly condensed area

I totally agree with your comments - just trying to make the OP feel reassured. There are several UC residents who post on these forums so good sources of advice for that neighborhood.

[kaminokamen]

Nice! I appreciate all the feedback, guys. I doubt I'll be able to just visit first, but I am a little iffy on not be able to see the place and neighborhood before I move out there. I am however excited as can be about trying to Skype with a place owner before I go, because I remembered if all goes well, I can offer gas money to get a ride from the airport lol. But yeah, I'm going to do all I can to make good judgment about the places Im looking into, and as I find some places, I'll be sure to ask about them on here!

Also, on the note of trying to make sure everything will be cool for when I move, if I find a place, is there such a thing as sending a money order and getting a written contract notorized so I don't get screwed over and become homeless out there?